World's Best Expedition Leaders

If you’ve traveled with us, you know that our Expedition Leaders make the difference between a gratifying trip and a truly superlative adventure. Simply put, our leaders are the best in the business. Painstakingly recruited and selected, this group of highly trained professionals brings a set of traits that foster an outstanding travel experience. They are passionate about the places they share with our guests, and they exude an irrepressible enthusiasm that can’t help but infect those who travel with them. As naturalists, biologists and environmental educators, their knowledge deeply enriches the experience of those who see the natural world through their eyes. While many of our Expedition Leaders have master’s degrees or PhDs, they are also chosen for their good nature as well as their good grades. Many of our guests are veterans of global travel, sophisticated and independent – but they choose to go with us because of our Expedition Leaders’ expertise. In the realm of nature adventure travel, great guides set us apart.

Eric’s role as NHA’s Head Naturalist not only allows him to lead a wide range of adventures around the world, but also to play an essential role in improving existing trips and developing new ones. His illustrious...

Melissa holds an esteemed position as an NHA Staff Naturalist, a title she earned through her extraordinary knowledge of the natural world and her magnetic personality. Melissa was raised in southern Indiana...

Roberto, NHA's Galapagos Field Manager, received a degree in biology with an emphasis in ecology and sustainable development, from the Latin University in Costa Rica. Since 1994 he has worked as a certified naturalist...

NHA Staff Naturalist John Mittan was born in 1979 in South Africa, where from a very young age he was introduced to the joys of the African bush. At the age of 5, he left with his family to live in Australia...

Olaf's enthusiasm is unparalleled for exploring the planet's most remote and dramatic destinations, defined by their unique natural beauty and/or authentic indigenous cultures. His passion for the history of the world's...

Aditya manages guiding operations for Nat Hab guests in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan and loves to share the entrancing natural beauty and serene culture of this small country with his guests. Aditya has...

Originally educated as a computer scientist, Alex’s abiding love of the outdoors eventually lured him into his current vocation as a naturalist guide. For the past 12 years he has been introducing guests to...

Andrea caught the travel bug at an early age, having grown up in such diverse places such as Japan, New Zealand, and New Jersey. After earning a degree from the University of Denver, she went on to guide...

Astrid trained as a biologist at Mexico’s National University and has been leading natural history expeditions throughout Mexico since 1991. For years, she has introduced our guests to her country’s most ...

Brad grew up in Wisconsin where he worked on a dairy farm and taught school from elementary to college level while also serving as a volunteer firefighter. Yearning to spend more time with the outdoors...

A love for Africa and its animals is in Brad Hansen’s blood. Born in South Africa, where he studied agriculture, Brad decided to follow his passion for African wildlife by pursuing a full-time career as...

Court’s background in wildlife and conservation biology led him to pursue a joint PhD in ecotourism and entomology, while simultaneously coordinating and guiding small-group wildlife expeditions and ecotourism adventures...

Growing up in Zambia and spending time in the Bush, Dave developed a passion for the wilderness. Time was spent learing the ways of surviving in harsh environments, tracking animals and accompanying anti-poaching ...

Eka, who hails from the Republic of Georgia, is an exceptionally accomplished Caucasian equestrian and mountaineer. In 2000, she was the first woman in the history of Tusheti to win the prestigious local...

Elise’s passion for travel and interpretation is obvious when you learn about the places she has chosen to live, work and travel. A degree in Environmental Studies introduced her to the world of interpreting nature.....

Fermin Tzib is a Belizean of Mayan descent who has been guiding natural history groups throughout Belize for many years. After completing his education in Belize, and furthering his education in the US, he then....

Born and raised in Mexico City, Fernando moved to Puerto Vallarta in 1999 to study marine biology and pursue his love of nature. During his studies he collaborated in different research projects including humpback whale...

Born in Urubamba, Peru’s Sacred Valley, Francis has had personal contact with Andean highland communities and cultures throughout his life. Francis is passionate about Andean anthropological studies...

Gary has had two parallel career paths of adventure-travel guiding and academia. He has led treks for more than 20 years in the Himalayas, primarily in Nepal but also in India, Pakistan, Bhutan, and the Chinese...

Harsha is an enthusiastic naturalist with eight years of experience as a guide. He has worked as head naturalist in a top lodge in India where he was also in charge of training new naturalist guides...

Höskuldur "Hoski" Jonsson is a highly experienced kayak guide, certified in Iceland and the recipient of four-star guide and safety awards from the British Canoe Union, the governing body overseeing paddling...

Jared received his BS in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana in Missoula. His field research experiences have led him around western North America. Jared has been a populations biologist.....

Although Jimmy has participated in and led many classroom programs designed to educate guides about the natural history of Costa Rica, his true love is in the field—Costa Rica’s rainforest, cloud forest and...

As a skinny eleven year old, Jock Montgomery went on a five-day canoe trip that became one of those life changing events. He discovered the magnificence of remote wilderness and the grace and splendor...

At the age of eight, Justin saw his first wild bear. More than 20 years later, his infatuation with all things ursine continues to grow. While attending the University of Alaska, Anchorage, he spent...

Karel’s lifelong love of nature and the outdoors lead him to a career as a naturalist and conservationist in 1991. He is a co-founder and past president of the Mexican Association of Ecotourism and Adventure Travel...

After growing up in Oregon and graduating from college in Washington, Karen’s passion for adventure led her north to Alaska. She has worked as a nature guide and natural history trip leader throughout...

Kevin has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois and gained a master’s degree in botany from the University of Wyoming in Laramie. Kevin’s experiences have ranged...

Kurt Johnson is a naturalist, author and photographer with a passion for the natural world and ecotourism. He grew up in both the urban setting of northern Virginia and the remote Adirondack Mountains of New York state...

Leah was born in England and began a life of adventure at an early age. After living in many remote areas, she now calls Alaska her home. Working as a guide, naturalist and Expedition Leader since 1996, her ...

After attending the University of Costa Rica, Leo went on to Costa Rica’s National Institute of Learning. His extensive travels have taken him to nearly every area of the country, from lowland rainforest to mountain cloud...

Malcolm’s passion for the natural world began early. As a child, he reveled in escapades in the British countryside, the company of his many pets, and a bedroom full of bones, fossils, feathers and old bird nests...

Born and raised in Costa Rica, Marco has small-group explorations through all regions of his country. His research focus is birds and plants, and he has often participated in bird studies conducted throughout...

Mick O’Shea is an avid outdoorsman and an internationally acclaimed adventurer, environmentalist, filmmaker and author. Mick's love affair with the environments and cultures of Asia began at age 20 when the young...

Born and raised in Croatia, athletic Monika has always been a lover of the outdoors. After working in the corporate world for five years, her deep passion for travel and photography took over, and she left the office...

Myles is an experienced wilderness guide with many years of sea kayaking, canoeing, sailing and mountaineering in many of the worlds wildest places. A Fellow of The Royal Geographical Society and a Master Educator of Leave...

Patricia was born and raised in Mexico City, but has spent the majority of her life in the great outdoors. She graduated from the National University of Mexico with a B.S. in biology where she performed research in forest...

Paul, an avid birdwatcher since childhood, received his bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Ramapo College of New Jersey. During his education, Paul assisted with hawk migration census studies...

Phil was born in Plymouth, England, the son of a Royal Navy engineer who moved his family to Africa in 1946. Phil grew up in remote areas of Southern Africa, most notably Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), and, from...

Rashid’s passions are natural history and wildlife conservation. As a child growing up in a family of naturalists, Rashid developed a keen interest in the natural world as the family visited many wildlife parks...

Rick was born in the Chiriqui Highlands of Panama. A naturalist and avid birder, he has compiled an impressive bird list as well as a long list of experiences and adventures as a naturalist guide and ...

Born in the Netherlands, Rinie has been a keen naturalist his entire life. He received his formal education in forestry and civil engineering and then set out to travel the world in search of wildlife, particularly in the polar...

Rosa was born and raised in Peru. She is a native Quechuan, and is extremely proud of the diverse flora and fauna, as well as the cultures, of her native country. Rosa has been a guide and tour leader...

After completing a post-graduate degree in psychology, Simon worked as a Human Resourses Manager in an IT company for 2 years. He then decided that it was time to follow his passion and pursue a career ...

Named "Best Safari Guide on the Planet" in Outside magazine’s 2014 Travel Awards, Thuto Moutloatse had the privilege of growing up in the superb wildlife areas of Botswana, where his father was involved in tourism...

A passionate hiker and wildlife enthusiast, Tim is a former business development manager who spent 4 years working in South America before returning to the Highlands to live and become a nature guide...

A London-born Scot, Toby first drove out to India in 1974 and by late 1975 he joined the Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge in Nepal’s Royal Chitwan National Park. In April 1977 he moved to Delhi and helped establish...